Only a few footballers are given opportunities to succeed in an environment full of uncertainties and actually fit the bill. One of those few is RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. The 20-year-old midfielder has been given the chance to improve and showcase his abilities in the Bundesliga as a loanee from Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.
Xavi’s journey to Leipzig
So how did Xavi Simons end up at RB Leipzig and being the top assist leader in the Bundesliga this season? The Dutchman decided to part ways with his former club PSV Eindhoven in the summer to join Paris Saint-Germain, but his time in Ligue 1 didn’t transpire as many would’ve thought, as he was immediately loaned to RB Leipzig.
The Barcelona youth product immediately made an impact in his new home by meshing pretty well with his teammates and Marco Rose’s system. In 11 games, Simons has become one of the standouts in the German top flight this season by leading the league in assists with seven while scoring four goals himself.
It helps his case that his style of play fits Marco Rose’s football philosophy, and the both of them have been a match made in heaven ever since. In an interview, Simons stated that Marco Rose is one of the main reasons why he decided to take his talents to Red Bull Arena. “All in all, we are a good, young team. The first training sessions with Marco Rose also had a lot of lessons to take from them. One of the reasons that I decided to join RB Leipzig is because of him.”
The Bundesliga is a cutthroat league where players of Xavi’s calibre will comfortably thrive. “I think the intensity of the games is quite high. What I mean with that is that it doesn’t matter which team you play against, the intensity of the game is going to be at the top level. You saw it two weeks ago against Bochum, we played out a 0-0, but it’s different every game. The style of play is different. I think [it’s] more vertical here. People want to go forward faster, so that demands sharpness from you. I think that’s quite the difference.” Simons when asked about the Bundesliga.
It is evident that the 20-year-old has found a home in Leipzig, where he is celebrated and well-utilized. But the elephant in the room is his uncertainty after his loan ends. “You can’t predict anything in football. Nobody knows what will happen in the coming months.” He told to a German outlet. “I already feel at home here and I’m having a great time. I hope to be successful with the club and make my mark here.”
2023-24 Bundesliga highlights thus far
The Dutchman’s season for RB Leipzig has been nothing but phenomenal. He has been a catalyst for the Red Bull’s strong start to the season and has also produced a couple of breathtaking Bundesliga 2023 highlights along the way.
Simons started his onslaught in the German top flight during their match against Stuttgart on Match Day 2. The game was already busted wide open by Leipzig, as they were up 4-1 in the 70th minute of the match. Simons got past a wall of VFB defenders thanks to a slicing-through ball from a teammate. The 20-year-old carried the ball until the keeper went out of his position. Simons struck but was deflected by the VFB goalkeeper. But the Dutchman, using his athleticism, quickly gathered composure and was able to strike another shot. This time, it saw the back of the net, giving Leipzig their fifth goal of the match and Xavi’s first goal in the Bundesliga.
His second goal of the season was against Union Berlin. Simons scored the opening goal for his team with a beautiful long-range canon. He received the ball right outside the opponent’s box, then, with no hesitation, struck the ball that curled in the air, slotting perfectly in the corner of the goal. This goal sparked the rest of Leipzig to score two more goals, all in the second half, to beat Union Berlin 0-3.
Xavi went on and scored his third goal against Augsburg, which showcased how good the chemistry is with him and his teammates. Multiple Leipzig players volleyed the ball from Augsburg’s side of the field. They surgically passed the ball with proper intention, which culminated in a strong close-range header from Simons. At this point in the 2023–24 campaign, Leipzig are making a strong case to be one of the SBOTOP Bundesliga 2023 odds favorites.
His most recent goal demonstrated individual brilliance from the young Dutchman. Against their rivals, SC Freiburg, Xavi went to work early, as he carried the ball from the middle of the pitch, then proceeded to slice and dice his way around Freiburg defenders before striking the ball between two opponents and scoring the opening goal of the match.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
